New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-15
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
SARAH BERNHARDT AS FEDORA

SARAH BERNHARDI As FEDOhA.
The eminent French actress Sarah Bernhard appeared
last night IN the Star Theatre. and was welcomed by
great company OF pleased and responsive spectators The
incidental display OF public interest was not indeed COM
mensrae with the enthusiasm that greeted Nine Bern
hards advent upon the American stagenade at Booths
Theatre on November g. 1880 During her first Ameri-
can season. which lasted until April 80 1881, this re-
markable actress while fully maintaining her profess
sona reputation for experiences In the dramatic art as
well as her fame for personal sngnary. dspelled much
OF the illusion which had glamor over her and
her career that when she left America In May 1881,
her departure was viewed with comparative indfer-
ence The explanatory truth IL that familiar ac-
duanance with the artitic method Of Nine. Bernhard
discovers that its mechanism often is nsuicienty con-
ceaied and cOncurreny, ascertans that her spiritual
nature is deficient in nobility. She seems in a wonderful
degree ecitous and poetic those who see her for the
first tme but the impression does not last for those who
see her often All the there ample cordially
OF feeling in the public welcome that hailed her re-
entrance here night that the occasion can be re-
corded as one OF excitement, pleasure and success.
Never will Nine Bernhardt be accepted for the fulfil
mont OF poetic ideal OF greatness in but in
the performance that she OF the heroine OF NJ sar-
dous "Fedoa" she speedily made Il felt and known that
her command of firm, def and glittering process OF
dramatic impcrsouatiOn IS still consum nate and admra-
able and that her unique personality-nensely VITAL
impulsive passionate AMI errac-s still potent to thrill
and to charm Now. formerly, her field Is not the
heart but the passions She has little tenderness,
but she has n fiery and scorchng ard0r, tumuuous
fervency which produces excellent dramatic results;
and for temperament OF this sort Fedora Is exactly
suitable Indeed the French author fashioned this
character with the distinct view OF enstng all the
sources OF Nine Bernhardts nature and elcng the ex-
preston Of all her power, aud Ills OBJECT was accoi-
Those persons who know tho drama of Fedora"
which has made familiar here. In an English YER
sion. presented by Miss Fanny Davenport are aware
sNiaftp
tide rises in II above the level ot the senses ana o
morbid emotions Almost one inght say, IL tAda d,
sic hates in tLe sam6 fashion Her husband has been
Slain she will avcuge him. And she
proceeds TO miscellaneous and vindictXe
slaughter, with the relentless raYenng ana deadly
lcrocity ~ beast Tie murderer OF her husband is at
length delivered into her hands he becomes Indeed
me ffna,el carnal idolaor OF her physical charms
she will use her power his passions 10 compel him
a. reveal his secret and. with artistic reachery she VIII
eoitrre Tor nina sudden and violent death But I'm the
very moment of her Internal triumph her passions
become enlisted In his favor The same mad appetite
memory she instantly oathes-upon finding that he was
false her and upon becoming attached to another man
imprs all the currents O! her being toward ms
new idol OF her carua desire AMI since she must either
lose him or perish by MS hand The ne Sna come t 70
wicked hand puts a period 20 her own miserable ex-
i,tence she Is lurid porteutous. powerful sinister
dangerous menace, AMI deadly enmity In the denca-
ton Of her character the damast seems TO have pnr
posoly. laid great STRESS upon me Iye eIenehI9 te
spectators OF Nine. BcrnharlCs Fedora are In the
of tgcr-WOu3I. Ine eIuhOliucnt possesses
every attbnte the crce dangerous fas mating hor
rhlc beauty siguiIed by this phrase. The moment IN
which TefOra tcinp's her lover. and the moment in
which she him nj the peril OF her own good name
present Bernhard In the perfection OF her artistic
s aud al the topmost height OF lerpccuia temperament
The observer who should look for anything like perna
nent significance In this achievement. who should look
beneath the piece OF acting and inquire what
it all amounts when IL is done, must answer his own
question Mime Bernhardts personal fascination Is as
great as IL and is not 10 be denied The ex-
dusr grace ~ notion the melodious eOcuon the WOO
ing of persuasive voice. the seeming artess
ways the addptabiity to constantly changing moods,
tie magic Of radiant ganceS, the fine, gypsy air or Orgi-
nality and independence these unite with beautiful
suoOthness Of dramatic art 10 constitute VICTORIOUS
personality II Il the technical excellence OF acting
hy which the greatest interest Is aroused and absorbed
Each wonderful person who appears IN the world OF ART
becomes admirable TO mankind living evidence or
the possible greatness inherent in humanity From this
point of view Nine Bernardt has always been an IN
ieresug study. While however she Is WONDERFUL ana
wonderfully significant in her art she IS not herself
great woman Certain artistic embOdiments OF hers are
perect From FfOU Is such one. This performance OF
torn another But In dramatic art even at It's best
there is no potency 10 benefit which extends beyond
the satisfaction the OF ecltous expression II
the art Ice informed by great spirit IL not be-
yond the pre- sent instant; and practically, II Is dead
Actors sometimes exert profound influence upon the
mind and heart OF the age In which they live. by virtue
OF their direct effect upon indidu experience but no
Que was exalted. made finer and nODlcr IN mind
and spirit seeing the acting OF Sarah Eernhardt
and this is without its meaning IN relation 10
critical estimate her work and her 1O-nS0t
Nine. Bcrnhardt Will play CdnIe.